your figure is a cinch, no matter what your budget. Whether you’re an athletic A-cup, curvy glamour queen, or five-foot fox—Curves Rule and Flat Is Fabulous shares how to flaunt your figure instead of letting it limit your style. Oh, and since we’re big fans of keeping things simple, the variety of looks we share in this book are classics—the stuff that will endure; not overly trendy styles that are just a little too hip for the room.
So all you so-called pear shaped gals—peel away the layers! You “inverted triangles”—turn those fashion faux pas upside down! You booty queens, buxom divas, and flat-as-a-board femmes, redefine style according to your own rules. And never peek inside your closet with angst again!
BODY TYPE, SHMODY TYPE
Not everyone fits into the cookie-cutter body types (“pear,” “boyish”, and so on) that the majority of magazines and style guides recognize—and in fact, many of today’s women don’t fall into these specific categories at all. Our bodies are a collection of boobs, butts, shoulders, and tummies—which may be flat, full, long, short, ripped, robust, or any combination. So the idea that we can fit our feminine forms into just one of a handful of “types” starts to feel kind of fruitless.
In this book, we’ve defined women’s shapes a bit differently—by putting more focus on body parts—you may be buxom and skinny, buxom and curvy, buxom and tall, or buxom and tiny. Each combination requires different strategies and techniques for dressing. We believe that women should feel comfortable and proud of their bodies—whatever you’ve got and wherever you’ve got it, flaunt it. And most important, flatter it!
No one wants to be crammed into a fashion box. So the how-to’s for this book are boiled down to the basics. Figure out the combination of upper and lower body shapes that work best for you (for instance, you may be a Busty on top and Leggy on bottom with a hint of Booty thrown in). Then find your favorite styles, from boot-cut jeans to A-line skirts (like we said, you won’t find a lot of “runway-inspired” or overly trendy items here…instead, we focus on key pieces that are timeless, effortless, and oh so alluring). That’s it—the ultimate mix-and-match style system.
To get started, here’s a quick intro of how we lovingly describe different types of foxy-figured women—mix and match to suit your body!
Booties
Boasting a full booty has become one of today’s “most wanted” assets (pun intended). Curve-conscious clothing is designed to show off your sexiness. So ditch your baggies and work that rump!
Hipsters
The ’50s screen sirens got it right—full-bodied and feminine, they really knew how to turn heads by flaunting their bodacious hips. They even named a song after you, so live it up, “Brickhouse”!
Belly Babes
It doesn’t matter what endearing nickname you call it—pooch, tum-tum, or jelly. A belly with extra padding can be ultrafeminine (plenty of men agree!). And many of today’s clothing styles are designed with that extra somethin’ in mind, so wear every inch of that extra somethin’ you have with pride!
Curvies
Lucky ladies who are deliciously curvaceous all over have a lot to work with. From boobs to booty, arms to abs, enjoy your full and quintessentially female shape. There’s a lot to flaunt—now that’s what we call a real plus!
Leggies
We haven’t met a woman alive who wouldn’t kill for a pair of glamorous gams. Although long, luxurious legs may come with their own special set of challenges for the five foot nine and over crowd, you can consider it more of a champagne problem: the rest of us say, “Cheers!”
Dainties
Sassy divas from Eva Longoria to Reese Witherspoon have discovered the secret to working small and stylish looks. Whether you’re slim or curvy, those perfectly petite builds are the bomb.
Busties
Many women pay a lot of money to get what you’ve got. At the same time, we know all too well that being well endowed has its own hurdles, especially when it comes to finding a bathing suit top or bra that actually covers the full breast, not one quarter of it! With the right style savvy, you can do right by your D(+++) cups and look downright dishy!
Tatas
You’re the envy of many, since you can wear just about any top, from skimpy halters to low-cut V’s and triangle bikinis. If you’re the proud owner of sweet, small boobies (a.k.a. tatas), take your pick and remember…flat is fabulous!
Broads
They invented shoulder pads to mimic what you’ve got. Sculpted shoulders are one of the most alluring features a woman can flaunt. Whether sexing it up in a sultry off-the-shoulder number or kicking back in a summery tank top, you’re one stylish Broad!
MEET OUR FABULOUS FEMMES
There’s nothing more enlightening than getting tried-and-true fashion tips from other women. Although we love browsing through the fashion favorites of celebs, or the picks of style editors in magazines, what we really crave is the advice of gals who are facing the same challenges that we are. So we gathered the sexiest and sassiest women we know and asked them to show us their most flattering outfits and best fashion tips. They come in all shapes and sizes, and each of them has an incredible sense of self and sense of style. Feeling comfortable in your skin is something no amount of money or designer paraphernalia can buy. These girls are fabulous for lots of reasons—because they embrace their curves, bust, and booty—because they have learned what makes them look and feel their best—and most of all, because they are truly beautiful (and sexy!) from the inside out. Meet our Fabulous Femmes.
Amy
Tracey
Deena
Britt
Barb
Maya
Raven